Chapter Twelve
Madame Adele poked Scarlet for the third time in fifteen minutes. If it happened one more time, Scarlet would poke the woman back.
“Posture,” Adele snapped. “What is wrong with you? And what are you wearing?”
The week had flown by for Scarlet. Rehearsals, interviews, and photo shoots had kept her busy until Thursday evening. Fortunately, the interviews didn’t dive into her kidnapping. Edward made sure to screen the questions for her. There wasn’t much to say, anyway. There was still a man at large, and no connections could be made from the man in custody to Frisco Met or anyone else.
“A dress,” Scarlet answered.
Adele’s permanent frown deepened. “Thank goodness Edward had your gown made for the gala,” she snapped. “Or else you’d Eliza-Doolittle your way around the entire night!”
Edward insisted she attend a fancy dinner in North Pointe’s courtyard with the board of directors and various patrons. They were high society types. They liked attention. She was used to meeting important people—her father’s line of work prepared her. Yet, she still found herself worried she’d say the wrong thing.
“I’m happy to just go home.” Scarlet smiled at the woman. “If my dowdy threads aren’t good enough for you.”
Scarlet was wearing a simple black cocktail dress that had once been her mother’s. It wasn’t some high-end designer, but it showed off her assets. She didn’t appreciate Adele’s attitude toward it. Adele didn’t even notice the small black and red clutch that Scarlet borrowed from the more fashion-forward Nora.
Adele rolled her eyes. “You’ve certainly gotten mouthy these past couple weeks.”
“I’ve always been mouthy,” Scarlet said. “You just never cared to notice before.”
Adele pursed her thin lips together, turning away from the prima. “I told Edward you would be too rough around the edges for this,” she muttered.
Scarlet wanted to get along with the woman, but she was a wretched has-been with nothing nice to say. Holding a polite conversation seemed out of the question. She turned her thoughts elsewhere.
Her gaze fell across the courtyard to Alex. He was talking to Edward, and Scarlet searched for a reason to go join the conversation. She stopped herself for fear she’d say the wrong thing.
Life was moving fast for Scarlet, yet her moment with Alex in the dance studio stayed with her. She wanted him to kiss her. It sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine when she relived it. He seemed to want it too, but since then, he had reverted back into the statuesque bodyguard she had first met.
She knew it wasn’t something she imagined. Her connection to him was frighteningly strong. It couldn’t have been one-sided. She didn’t want to be foolish, but the impulsive feelings she had worsened every time she saw him.
“People will start to arrive in a few minutes.” Adele’s tone was softer. “Please be respectful of the guests.”
“Of course.” Scarlet nodded, her patience waning. She wondered if Adele was naturally horrible, or if she was just lucky to have to deal with her full tilt.
“Speak when spoken to,” the woman added. “Don’t slouch.”
“Madame Adele.” Scarlet raised the clutch and pointed with her index finger. “I know how to behave. I’ve been to dinners all over the world, a lot more lavish and elegant than this. I’ve spoken to countless diplomats, I’ve entertained foreign dignitaries in Tel Aviv, I’ve met two presidents and their families. Please stop treating me like a child.”
Adele’s pasty face flushed red. She opened her mouth to say something, but Scarlet turned on her heel, and walked toward Edward.
She felt a little exhilarated, telling Adele off. It would have happened sooner or later, and it was better than waiting two nights for the gala. Hopefully, Adele would get the hint. Scarlet didn’t like flexing her upbringing, but the situation called for it, since the one woman who was supposed to help guide her career had never bothered to get to know her.
The courtyard was transformed into a quaint outdoor restaurant with tables set up to look out at San Francisco’s skyline. It was small, so Edward could give the proper attention to his guests. Scarlet knew part of being prima was to be a presence at all events, but she was already tired. On top of rehearsals, she wasn’t sleeping well, nor had she bothered to take any medication to help with her anxiety.
Scarlet approached Alex and Edward, forcing the dazzling smile she’d practiced at home. She hoped it didn’t look too forced.
You can do this. Be casual.
Alex stiffened a little when she stopped next to him.
“Scarlet.” Edward held out his hands. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks,” she replied. “Madame Adele said I looked like Eliza Doolittle before Henry Higgins got ahold of her.”
Edward laughed, shaking his head. “She’s a tough one to please.”
Alex raised an eyebrow at them.
“My Fair Lady?” Scarlet asked him.
“Never saw it,” he responded.
“Alex isn’t into musicals and stage plays.” Edward smirked. “Despite me taking him to Broadway every year when he was young.”
Alex frowned. “I don’t mind some. The Goodbye Girl is my favorite.”
Edward’s face brightened. “I took you to see that for your eleventh birthday. I’m surprised you remember it. The movie’s good, too.”
“Never saw either.” Scarlet smiled.
Alex held her stare for a moment before turning his head. Her smile faded. She liked the moments she saw the real Alex, and wondered why he was so quick to revert.
Edward cleared his throat. “I was just telling Alex that tonight shouldn’t take long. I know you have a full schedule before the gala. Just sit, have some food, socialize for an hour, and then he can take you home.”
She nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
Armand approached, linking his arm through Edward’s. “Are we ready, pretties?”
Alex rolled his eyes.
Armand pretended he didn’t notice as he looked her up and down. “Scarlet, no date?
The question threw her off. “Um … no.”
Armand tilted his head, looking disappointed. “A crime among men.”
“I didn’t know I needed one,” Scarlet admitted. “Ivan has to escort me to the gala and he’s not required to be here tonight. He had plans.”
Ivan was the company’s lead male dancer and her partner for the season. He was currently on a date with Jason.
“Alex.” Armand shifted his attention. “You be her date. I can’t have my prima walking around by herself.”
Alex shifted his weight, throwing the man a dirty look. “Why aren’t you two escorting her around?”
“Too formal,” Armand argued. “Tonight is more relaxed, but appearances are everything. Please? Consider it a favor.”
Scarlet watched Alex’s already stiff posture get worse. He coughed rudely, shaking his head.
“He doesn’t have to,” Scarlet told Armand. “He already does more than enough at my expense.”
“Alex doesn’t mind.” Armand squeezed Edward’s arm, winking at Alex.
Edward twisted his arm out of Armand’s grasp, placing a hand on the small of his husband’s back. He let out a soft sigh.
“It would be helpful if you would be her escort,” Edward confessed. “It would seem less intense than a bodyguard walking behind her. Might make some people nervous. Just sit her down at table one and we’ll be over soon.”
Scarlet knew Edward was trying his best to make everything appear normal. Talk of the attack subsided once Lyn St. Claire started throwing lawsuits around. Even the hallway gossip faded. Tonight would be different. People wanted to see what was really going on at North Pointe since her attack. It was a smaller gathering, so Scarlet would have no privacy. She’d have to talk to people, and who knew what questions would come up.
“Fine.” Alex held out his arm for Scarlet.
She looked from his arm up to his face. She couldn’t stop thinking about the man, and he wasn’t reciprocating at all. At this point, Scarlet felt like the annoying little sister the big brother had to watch over.
Maybe I should try a little harder.
Scarlet reached out and put her hand on Alex’s arm. He led her to the table, pulling out her chair.
“Thank you,” she said, squeezing his arm gently before letting go. He didn’t seem to notice.
Alex moved around to her side, sinking down into the uncomfortable chair.
They sat in awkward silence, watching people filter in. Scarlet spied one of the other security agents casing the courtyard. The man and Alex had a good relationship, she knew. During the past few days she’d steal looks at them outside the studio, laughing and talking.
“You don’t have to stay,” Scarlet said. “You can go about your business. I’m good at being a wallflower.”
Alex shifted in his seat. He clasped his hands together on the table, staring at them vacantly. “I didn’t mean to sound like a jerk back there,” he said finally. “Armand just pisses me off.”
Scarlet’s heart rate quickened a bit at Alex’s words. “Why?”
“We don’t really like each other,” Alex admitted. “But we have to tolerate each other.”
“Kinda like us,” Scarlet joked.
Alex tried to hold the laugh back, but he gave in, nodding his head. “At least you get it. Armand… He likes to play these petty games. It’s hard to keep my cool around him. I try to be understanding, but…”
Alex’s voice trailed off, and Scarlet didn’t feel like inquiring more about the relationship. If what Nora told her was true, Armand was the man Edward left Alex’s mother for. It wasn’t exactly dinner conversation. She decided to change the subject.
“The guy over there?” Scarlet subtly pointed at Lance. “There’s a photo of Edward hugging you two in his office. He your best friend?”
Alex followed her gesture. “Lance? Yeah he’s … my best friend, I guess.”
“You guess?”
Alex shrugged. “Well, he invites me over to his house for beer on the weekends, and he saved my life, so I suppose he’s what I’d call a best friend.”
Scarlet raised her eyebrows. “Sounds like a story I wouldn’t mind hearing.”
Alex leaned back in his chair, turning his attention to the guests. “I used to be the guy who makes dumb choices trying to be the hero. Lance balanced me out.”
“When you were in the military?” Scarlet asked.
“No, I was a private military contractor for a company called Code Four,” he answered. “One of our missions took a bad turn.” He nodded toward Lance. “I’d definitely be dead if it weren’t for him.”
Scarlet watched as Lance frowned at Alex before disappearing into the building. She wanted to inquire more. She wanted to reach out, grab Alex’s hands, and let him know he could tell her anything. Scarlet also wanted to kick her own butt for being so sappy.
“Sorry,” Alex said, breaking into her thoughts. “That was kind of intense.”
“I don’t mind,” Scarlet insisted. “I like listening to people’s stories. Everyone has one to tell.”
She watched Alex idly nudge the array of silverware into a straighter formation.
“And everyone should have a best friend,” Scarlet went on. “I don’t know what I’d do without mine.”
Alex stopped what he was doing, raising an eyebrow at her. “The loud, bossy, obnoxious one?”
Scarlet suppressed a laugh. “Nora isn’t that bad. She’s kind of privileged, but…” She shifted her gaze out to the courtyard. “She came along when I really needed someone.” She felt Alex’s eyes on her. “I’d been in a funk for about a year. My childhood best friend passed away, and my dad became irrationally overprotective as a result. His health was declining, which didn’t help. It was a lot to take as I entered my ballet career. I kept to myself—didn’t talk to anyone. I guess I was depressed.”
She turned her attention back to Alex, who had a thoughtful frown on his face.
“Then Nora transferred to North Pointe. She was driven, confident, and practically made me be her friend.” Scarlet shrugged. “She filled this void I didn’t even realize I was missing. I hadn’t let myself think about it.” Scarlet let out a long breath. “Wow, talk about intense.” He doesn’t want to hear about this shit.
Alex’s frowned deepened. “I’m sorry it’s been a tough road.”
Scarlet shrugged. “It seems to be working out a little better now.”
“Aside from the whole kidnapping thing,” Alex pointed out.
“Right,” Scarlet said. “Thanks for reminding me.”
Alex straightened in his seat. “I know I’m not the best at carrying conversation,” he said. “I’m the worst date ever.”
“Oh, so this is a date,” Scarlet said with a chuckle.
Alex blinked. “No—I… That’s not—”
“I’ve never had an armed date before.” Scarlet relished the fact that Alex was blushing. “I’ll have to tell my parents about you.”
“Definitely don’t do that.” Alex clenched his jaw.
“I’m messing with you.” Scarlet reached over and patted his knee. “Chill out. I know you’d rather be out changing the oil in your car than be sitting here with me.”
“Not entirely true.” Alex raised an eyebrow. “And don’t act like you want to be here any more than I do.”
Scarlet let out a short laugh. “Is it that obvious?”
She was quiet for a moment, gazing out at the mingling people. Everyone was dressed to impress. The women wore shimmering dresses and sparkling jewelry, while the men had tailored suits and golden cufflinks. They drank from crystal glasses, laughing and chattering about nothing.
No one paid attention to Scarlet and Alex. She was okay with the privacy. She was okay with being this close to Alex, not having to worry about people’s inquisitive stares because the poor ballerina needed a bodyguard. No, this was much more informal, and she could get used to it.
Scarlet’s phone buzzed softly from her small clutch. She reached for it, reading the text from Nora. She got up quickly. “I’m leaving.”
“What?” Alex looked up in surprise.
Scarlet smoothed out her dress and nodded at the gate leading out. “I don’t want to be here. Nora and Jason are down at the Library.”
“The Library?” Alex blinked.
“It’s a club.” Scarlet shrugged. “It’s not far from here. A lot of the dancers go there to let loose.”
Alex got up slowly, casting a nervous look at Edward. Scarlet followed his gaze. Edward was deep in conversation with a group of people.
“Come on,” she said, looking back. “Wouldn’t you rather be somewhere else?”
“Yeah.” Alex narrowed his eyes. “But I have to keep you here. It’s my job.”
“No,” Scarlet said. “You have to watch over me … and I want to leave.”
Alex stepped around his chair, crossing his arms in front of him.
Scarlet lifted her chin into the air and smirked. “Come on. No one will miss us.”
Alex laughed. “That’s a goddamn lie.”
“Maybe.” Scarlet shrugged, backing up. “But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
She turned on her heel, making a beeline for the back gate. The bulk of the party was near the front, waiting to speak to Edward.
Maybe Madame Adele was right. She was too rough around the edges for all this. Maybe Edward would be furious. Maybe she’d be punished. Maybe she was letting her defiance get the best of her.
Scarlet didn’t care. She didn’t look back until she was standing outside North Pointe where the busy streets welcomed her. She breathed in deep, not minding the exhaust.
Next to her, Alex stepped up, looking up at the starry sky. He had his phone out in front of him so Scarlet could see the screen.
He looked down and typed out a text to Lance: Scarlet is feeling sick. Please inform Edward I’m taking her home.
Scarlet felt a shiver of excitement as he pressed send, and lowered the phone. He smiled at her, pushing the surge of elation farther.
“Lead the way.”